The murder series is more than 30 years ago, but now it could still be cleared up: In South Korea, police have identified a suspect. Because of the statute of limitations of the deeds but he can not be prosecuted.
The latest technique for isolating DNA traces in long-time crimes has revealed that a 56-year-old is suspected in at least three cases, said Ban Gi Soo of Gyeonggi Nambu police in front of journalists. Earlier, the newspaper "The Korea Herald" reported on the case.
The suspect is currently serving a life sentence for his sister-in-law's rape and murder in 1994. He denies involvement in the previous series of murders in the rural surroundings of Hwaseong, south of Seoul. However, samples from one of the victims - including the underwear - were in line with the violent offender's DNA, the police said.
Hong Ki-won / Yonhap / AP
Ban Gi Soo from the police in front of journalists
The investigators pointed out that the killings around Hwaseong are already barred, so that the suspect could not be brought to justice. "I express my deepest regret to the victims and their families and to the Korean public that we have not been able to solve this case for a long time," Ban said.
The investigation into the rape and murder of ten women between 1986 and 1991 saw a record number of police officers involved, more than 21,000 people checked and around 20,000 fingerprints checked. The victims were women of various ages - from adolescents to a woman around the age of 70.
The "Hwaseong murders" had inspired the South Korean director Bong Joon Ho to his 2003 crime novel "Memories of Murder".
